LAHORE: Islamabad United produced a clinical batting display to chase down 183/5 set by Quetta Gladiators, winning by eight wickets the 9th match of PSL 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
The victory was anchored by a superb partnership between Sameer Minhas and captain Shadab Khan, who combined to dismantle Quetta’s bowling attack and secure United’s second win of the season by gathering 189 for the loss of two wickets in 18.2 overs.
Quetta Gladiators, after winning the toss and electing to bat, posted 183/5 in 20 overs. Their innings began brightly, with Saud Shakeel (42 off 26, 3 fours, 3 sixes) and Shamyl Hussain (21 off 15) adding 50 for the opening wicket. Shakeel’s fluent strokeplay ensured momentum, but a flurry of wickets saw Quetta slip from 71/1 to 93/5 in the space of three overs.
The collapse included the dismissals of Khawaja Nafay (18), Ben McDermott (3), and Bevon Jacobs (0), leaving the Gladiators in trouble. However, Hasan Nawaz rose to the occasion, smashing an unbeaten 66 off 36 balls with six fours and three sixes. He reached his 11th T20 half-century in 28 balls, showcasing composure and aggression. Nawaz found a reliable partner in Tom Curran, who contributed 29 not out off 22 balls. Together, they added a crucial 90-run stand for the sixth wicket, lifting Quetta to a competitive total.
United’s bowlers had mixed returns. Shadab Khan was the standout, claiming 3/23 in 4 overs, while Imad Wasim and Salman Irshad chipped in with a wicket apiece. However, Hasan Nawaz’s counterattack ensured Quetta finished strongly.
Islamabad United’s reply was measured yet aggressive. They reached 58/1 in the powerplay, losing Devon Conway (18 off 19) in the fifth over. Shortly after, Andries Gous (2 off 4) fell cheaply, leaving United at 61/2 in 6.5 overs.
From thereon, the match turned decisively in United’s favor. Sameer Minhas, playing one of the finest innings of his young career, struck an unbeaten 83 off 48 balls with eight fours and three sixes. He reached his maiden T20 fifty in 32 balls, pacing the chase perfectly. Alongside him, captain Shadab Khan played a commanding knock of 69 not out off 39 balls, registering his 13th career half-century in just 29 deliveries.
The pair added a match-winning 128-run stand for the third wicket, dismantling Quetta’s bowling attack with calculated aggression. Their partnership ensured United crossed the 150-run mark in the 16th over and sealed victory with 10 balls to spare, finishing at 189/2 in 18.2 overs.
Quetta’s bowlers failed to contain United’s middle order. Abrar Ahmed was the most effective, taking 2/29 in 4 overs, including the wickets of Conway and Gous. However, the rest of the attack leaked runs as Alzarri Joseph in his 3 overs conceded 30 runs, Tom Curran in 3 overs gave 39 runs, Ahmed Daniyal: 3.2 overs, 42 runs, Usman Tariq: 4 overs, 35 runs, and Saud Shakeel: 1 over, 8 runs. Despite early breakthroughs, Quetta’s inability to break the Minhas-Shadab stand proved decisive.
